Ximena Bustillo

Next to Saudi Arabia, where the annual Hajj has begun, where Muslims journey to Mecca, the pilgrimage brings millions of people to one place. And the chaotic numbers combined with extreme heat led to over a thousand deaths last year. This time, Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to curb unauthorized visits with threats of fines and deportations.

Next to Saudi Arabia, where the annual Hajj has begun, where Muslims journey to Mecca, the pilgrimage brings millions of people to one place. And the chaotic numbers combined with extreme heat led to over a thousand deaths last year. This time, Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to curb unauthorized visits with threats of fines and deportations.

Next to Saudi Arabia, where the annual Hajj has begun, where Muslims journey to Mecca, the pilgrimage brings millions of people to one place. And the chaotic numbers combined with extreme heat led to over a thousand deaths last year. This time, Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to curb unauthorized visits with threats of fines and deportations.

But the Saudi government faces a tricky balancing act. The Hajj is crucial to its strategy to boost tourism, and it can be big business. Packages vary, but according to one comparison tool, it can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 per person for travel from the U.S.

But the Saudi government faces a tricky balancing act. The Hajj is crucial to its strategy to boost tourism, and it can be big business. Packages vary, but according to one comparison tool, it can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 per person for travel from the U.S.

But the Saudi government faces a tricky balancing act. The Hajj is crucial to its strategy to boost tourism, and it can be big business. Packages vary, but according to one comparison tool, it can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $20,000 per person for travel from the U.S.

As of the start of the week, Saudi officials say they have stopped a quarter of a million people without Hajj permits from entering Mecca. And finally, tonight, the Stanley Cup begins, pitting the Florida Panthers against the Edmonton Oilers for the second year in a row. Last year, the Panthers won.

As of the start of the week, Saudi officials say they have stopped a quarter of a million people without Hajj permits from entering Mecca. And finally, tonight, the Stanley Cup begins, pitting the Florida Panthers against the Edmonton Oilers for the second year in a row. Last year, the Panthers won.

As of the start of the week, Saudi officials say they have stopped a quarter of a million people without Hajj permits from entering Mecca. And finally, tonight, the Stanley Cup begins, pitting the Florida Panthers against the Edmonton Oilers for the second year in a row. Last year, the Panthers won.

And as The Athletic notes, there is a lot at stake, not only for these two teams, but the countries they represent. Specifically, no Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup in 32 years, which seems kind of hard to believe for a country that feels so synonymous with the sport. The Athletic says there are many reasons why this drought has gone on for so long.

And as The Athletic notes, there is a lot at stake, not only for these two teams, but the countries they represent. Specifically, no Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup in 32 years, which seems kind of hard to believe for a country that feels so synonymous with the sport. The Athletic says there are many reasons why this drought has gone on for so long.

And as The Athletic notes, there is a lot at stake, not only for these two teams, but the countries they represent. Specifically, no Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup in 32 years, which seems kind of hard to believe for a country that feels so synonymous with the sport. The Athletic says there are many reasons why this drought has gone on for so long.

Some players want to play in the Sun Belt for better weather and tax perks, and many of the Canadian teams have not drafted that well. But if any team is going to break the drought, it could be the Oilers, who were just one goal away from winning the title last year. And they're back with a stronger roster and home ice advantage. You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app.

Some players want to play in the Sun Belt for better weather and tax perks, and many of the Canadian teams have not drafted that well. But if any team is going to break the drought, it could be the Oilers, who were just one goal away from winning the title last year. And they're back with a stronger roster and home ice advantage. You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app.

Some players want to play in the Sun Belt for better weather and tax perks, and many of the Canadian teams have not drafted that well. But if any team is going to break the drought, it could be the Oilers, who were just one goal away from winning the title last year. And they're back with a stronger roster and home ice advantage. You can find all these stories and more in the Apple News app.

And if you're already listening in the news app right now, we've got a narrated article coming up next. The Atavist has the remarkable story of a skier who embarked on a dangerous and difficult 1600 mile journey from Vancouver to Alaska and how the tragedy she experienced changed how she saw the mountains and the world.

And if you're already listening in the news app right now, we've got a narrated article coming up next. The Atavist has the remarkable story of a skier who embarked on a dangerous and difficult 1600 mile journey from Vancouver to Alaska and how the tragedy she experienced changed how she saw the mountains and the world.

And if you're already listening in the news app right now, we've got a narrated article coming up next. The Atavist has the remarkable story of a skier who embarked on a dangerous and difficult 1600 mile journey from Vancouver to Alaska and how the tragedy she experienced changed how she saw the mountains and the world.

If you're listening in the podcast app, follow Apple News Plus Narrated to find that story. And I'll be back with the news tomorrow.

If you're listening in the podcast app, follow Apple News Plus Narrated to find that story. And I'll be back with the news tomorrow.